Study at the University of Birmingham
Founded in 1900 on the vision set down by politician and statesman Joseph Chamberlain, the University of Birmingham prides itself on a longstanding tradition of innovation and progressive initiatives. The university was a founding member of the National Union of Students, and the first in the country to be built on a campus model, incorporate a medical school and offer degrees in dentistry. It was also the country’s first civic or ‘redbrick’ university, with students accepted regardless of their background or religion.
The modern university is home to 26,000 students, 5,000 of them international. With 31% of its academic staff also from overseas, Birmingham lays claim to one of the most diverse campuses in the UK and encourages a global outlook. Students can take advantage of a number of opportunities to internationalise their degree: around 450 undergraduates complete a year abroad as part of their course.
Despite Birmingham’s industrial roots, the city is one of the greenest in the UK, with more miles of canals than Venice. Popular with foodies, it is second only to London in terms of the number of Michelin star restaurants it boasts and, with almost 40% of its population below the age of 25, the city has one of the youngest populations in Europe.
Quick Summary
- Established: 1900
- Students: 30,193 (2021)
- Intl. Student Ratio: 30%
- Location: Edgbaston, Birmingham
- Campus: Three (Edgbaston campus, Selly Oak campus, Mason College and Queen’s College campus)
- TEF Ranking: Gold
- THE Ranking: 12th in the UK (101 – 150 in the World)
University Details
Subjects Offered
The University of Birmingham covers a broad range of subjects at foundation, Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Find out more about what they offer and why it’s great to study at the University of Birmingham.
- Law LLB
- Business Studies LLB
- Criminology LLB
- Anthropology and History BA
- Anthropology and Politics BA
- Archaeology and Anthropology BA
- Drama and English BA
- Drama and Theatre Arts BA
- English Language BA
- Modern Languages and English BA
- Classical Literature & Civilisation and Philosophy BA
- Mathematics and Philosophy BA
- Philosophy and Sociology BA
- Philosophy BA
- Civil and Railway Engineering BEng
- Mechanical Engineering BEng
- Aerospace Engineering BEng
- Chemical Engineering BEng
- Chemistry BSc
- Computer Science BSc
- Mathematics and Computer Science BSc
- Nuclear Science and Materials BSc
- Theoretical Physics BSc
- Biological Sciences BSc
- Biochemistry BSc
- Human Neuroscience BSc
- Psychology BSc
- Medicine and Surgery MBChB
- Biomedical Materials Science BMedSc
- Dental Hygiene and Therapy BSc
- Dental Surgery BDS
- Nursing BNurs – Adult
- Pharmacy MPharm
- Business Management with Communications BSc
- Business Management with Marketing and Year in Industry BSc
- Business Management with Marketing BSc
- Chemistry with Business Management BSc
- International Business BSc
- International Business with Communications BSc
- International Business with Language BSc
- Mathematics with Business Management BSc
- Economics and Politics BSc
- International Relations BA
- Politics and Philosophy BA
- Politics and Social Policy BA
- Politics and Sociology BA
University Ranking (Worldwide)
According to Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, the University of Birmingham is ranking at 101- 150 in the world.
- Overall: 61.3
- Teaching: 40.3
- Research: 45.5
- Citations: 92.6
- Industry Income: 40.1
- International Outlook: 90.2
University Campuses
Birmingham’s main campus is located in the Edgbaston area of the city, where it houses the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower (the world’s tallest free-standing clock), and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, which opened in 1939 and exhibits original work by Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet. It is also the location of one of the largest medical schools in Europe and the place where pacemakers and plastic heart valves were developed, where allergy vaccines were pioneered and where the first clinical trials of the contraceptive pill outside the USA took place.
Our campus map has been designed to help students, staff and visitors find their way around the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston and Selly Oak campuses. Features include: building to building navigation, study space locations and availability, opening times for shops and services, and real-time travel information.
- Edgbaston campus Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT
- Selly Oak campus Hamilton Drive, Birmingham, B29 6QW
- Mason College and Queen’s College campus Hamilton Drive, Birmingham, B29 6QW